2 Years and 11%

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Becs511
Becs511 Member Posts: 303
edited May 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

This week marks 2 very important dates to me, my 35th birthday and the 2nd anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis (stage 4 from the start). I did some quick calculations and between being on chemo for 2 years for childhood leukemia and 2 years for my breast cancer, I have now been on some kind of chemo for over 11% of my life. For some reason, this stat really blew me away. I had a major epiphany because of it, cancer is not something I should be ashamed of or hide. I should be proud, that despite everything, I am stilling trying to live my best life and why not use my story to inspire, educate, and raise some money for research.

I ended up posting the following on Facebook on my birthday with a link to my fundraising site (if anybody wants to read my updates, feel free to send me a PM):

So Facebook probably reminded you that today is my birthday and I only have one wish this year; for me, and others in my situation, to see more birthdays. Right now, the average 5 year survival rate for Stage 4 Breast Cancer is less than 30%. Instead of spending the 2-3 minutes crafting the perfectly witty birthday message for my timeline, please use that time to read my latest update. And, if you haven't done so, instead of buying me a birthday drink (which I can't have) or a sweet treat (which I shouldn't have), use that same $5-$10 towards life extending breast cancer research (which I must have).

As a result, over the last month, I have raised over $4100, for a total of $19K since my diagnosis 2 years ago. I also have educated a lot of people in my age group who (thankfully) have not yet been touched by cancer. I have many friends, who because of my story, have talked their doctors about things they should look out for, and have even paid out of pocket for baseline mamograms since insurance generally won't cover them for those under 40.

Anyway, I just wanted to share that, while I was very scared to put myself out there, especially on my birthday, I truly had an amazing day because of it.

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Comments

  • stagefree
    stagefree Member Posts: 2,780
    edited May 2016

    Becs hi!

    I too am a childhood cancer survivor (bullshit terminology btw) and a textbook MBC patient. Well, having read the med articles, experiments and keeping myself updated on the newest trials, I'd say yours is a great set example with ones in similar situation.

    Guess having had longer company with MBC, I sort of live each day as it is.. I shattered all statistics right from the start, starting off with severe pneumia and a heart attack due to chemo overdose, and a recent lung failure.. I have the best meds can offer, greatest of doc team yet they ask me at times what to do.. What I prefer..

    I hope the best of therapy for ypu, but begore that hope you live on, rather than live with cancer each sec..

    Hugs

    Ebru

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2016

    Becs -- what an inspirational post! Congrats on your two years and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! We hope your friends take your advice and donate, educate, and rally around you for your birthday wish.

    Thanks for the post!

    --The Mods

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  • Becs511
    Becs511 Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2016

    Thanks Erbu! I was/am part of a follow-up study at Sloan Kettering for adult survivors of childhood cancers. I meet with the team once a year and they do a personal check-in (what's going on in my life) and a medical one (including EGK, bone density scan and breast exam). I had met with them in November 2013 and was diagnosed Stage 4 de novo (including mets to my sternum) in early April 2014. I still carry a lot of resentment that it was missed. I have since persuaded the team there to start including yearly mammograms for all women in the study, despite their age. I truly believe that if they had given me one that November, I might not be in the position that I am now.

    The team told me that they are starting to see a lot of serious secondary cancers in adults that were treated with chemo, (particularly cytoxin) during puberty in the '90's. Where you on this then? I would be more than happy to give you the follow-up teams contact information if you would like to talk with them.

    By the way, my pediatric oncologist was Turkish, so I have a lot of affection for people from there, you included!!!

    I hope your lungs clear up soon, but either way, please now that everybody at BCO is sending their love and support to you.

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  • Shutterbug73
    Shutterbug73 Member Posts: 791
    edited May 2016

    Happy birthday and congrats on two years Becs! What a kind and generous way to celebrate.

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited May 2016

    Happy Birthday, Becs!! You and Ebru are role models for us older ones!

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited May 2016

    Becs, you continue to inspire. Your post reminded me of something I recently read:

    "I didn't fight cancer...cancer fought me."

    Looks like you win.

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  • Becs511
    Becs511 Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2016

    Thanks everybody (and Mods)! This is definitely not what I thought life would look like at 35, but I guess life never is what you thought it would be. Even at a younger age, I always thought 5 years plans were ridiculous! But I have a lot of good things coming my way soon to focus on, including a trip with my father to Disney/Universal on Monday and a road trip with a close friend at the end of June.

    I am not sure if the mods will take it down since it is for a different site, but here is the link to the updates that I have posted in order to raise research funds and to tell my story: My Updates

    And here is the Facebook post and screengrabs of the photos I used to thank everybody for their donations yesterday (note the long hair is a wig), and as a result, since yesterday I have gotten over $500 in additional donations!

    As I sit getting my weekly chemo, I wanted to thank everybody for their loving birthday wishes and very generous donations. Together we have raised over $4100 this month alone, and an astounding $19K in 2 years for breast cancer research!! Hopefully, with our continued contributions, I'll no longer need to sit in this chair and receive bag after bag of different drugs in order to see my next birthday.

    image

    image

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  • Becs511
    Becs511 Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2016

    Just to provide an update, with 8 days left in May, I have raised over $5K this month alone, for a total of just under $20K for research since I was diagnosed!!

    Since I also mentioned, I was going on a trip to Disney with my dad, here are some photos! imageimage

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited May 2016

    Becs, your pictures are great. Congratulations on all the money you have raised for research. That is amazing. It's great that you took a trip toDisney with your dad, it's such a magical place

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  • artistatheart
    artistatheart Member Posts: 2,176
    edited May 2016

    Yes, great going Becs and thank you so much for your efforts! You are an inspiration. Love the Disney pics and double special with your Dad. We hope to go this summer with our 20 something kids. Happiest Birthday ever until the next one!

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